BROUGHT in as cover at left-back, Clive Clarke is now making his mark in midfield where he has been a key figure in Coventry City's success on the road.

But while his switch to a more hands-on central role may come as a surprise to most, it is actually a welcome return to his natural position which explains why he looks so comfortable in that role.

"I started out as a central midfielder but was converted to a left-back, so it is sort of my natural position," said the versatile Sunderland loan player.

"Obviously when you are left sided people put you there because there aren't that many about.

"I am really enjoying it at Coventry where I have been playing here, there and everywhere.

"I don't really have a preferred position but I do enjoy playing in the centre of midfield.

"I played there a bit for Stoke and you get a bit more involved in the game.

"When you are at full-back you are restricted to what goes down your side but in the middle you are always trying to make angles for others and trying to close people down, so it is probably a more enjoyable position to play."

And he has even been known to get among the goals, adding: "I haven't scored for a while but when I have played in midfield I have got the odd goal but I haven't found my shooting boots at Coventry yet."

Clarke spent almost ten years with tomorrow's visitors to the Ricoh Arena, Stoke City, and admits he still has a close affinity to his former club despite the fact that a section of the fans turned against him during his recent return to the Britannia Stadium when he was booed.

"They didn't like it when I asked to leave," explained the versatile 26-year-old who had a season with West Ham before switching to the North East, "but I didn't go for the money and even turned down the chance of a testimonial, I just wanted to improve myself by going to the Premiership."

The Potters are on a hot streak of form which has seen them win all five of the last games - a run that started against the Sky Blues on a foggy night last month.

But Clarke feels that Coventry are every bit as good as the new-found promotion hopefuls and even top of the league Preston North End.

"We were disappointed in the end to come away with a draw on Tuesday but we just didn't take our chances," he said.

"I think we got a bit of confidence off the back of the Sheffield Wednesday game and we looked strong in the last two games when we have played some good football.

"And, if we can keep going, we will do well.

"We have been playing reasonably well since I have been here but maybe not done ourselves justice in certain games, such as at Stoke.

"But I think the play-offs are within our grasp and we just need a good run of games like Birmingham and Stoke are doing.

"If you can go five of six games when you can get four or five wins and a couple of draws, then you can go places this season.

"I think we are as good as Preston, if not better, so we need to believe in ourselves and try to put a run together."

Whether Clarke stays beyond his extended loan spell of January 1 remains to be seen, but he is certainly open to a permanent move.

City have the option of taking out a half season loan to keep him at the club until the end the current term.

"It is not really up to me what happens when my loan is up," he said.

"It is up to people to come and buy me or Sunderland to sell me, so that decision is out of my hands.

"I just want to play regularly and Coventry have given me that opportunity and that's all it is about for me.

"But I would be more than happy to stay and if the option to join Coventry came about it would be great."

As for tomorrow's return clash, he said: "They have got a bit of money together to bring four or five players in and that has given the whole team a lift.

"The players who were already there are now playing out of their skins because they have got bigger names alongside them.

"They are big and strong and, knowing Tony Pulis like I do, they will be tight at the back.

"But if we play like we did on Tuesday night we will give anyone a game in this league and I am sure Stoke won't like coming here."